Water Association receives grant

BOONEVILLE, Miss. (WTVA)-- The future is looking bright for the Big V Water Association in Prentiss County.

“We were really excited about it. It’s been a long time coming,” said Rita McCarter, Secretary and Treasurer of the Water Association Board.

Back in April, McCarter says they learned the U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded them millions of dollars in funding.

“The total amount is $3,225,000. We won’t have to pay back $1,415,00, because that’s grant money. We will have to pay back the rest of it in time,” said McCarter.

The money, board members say, will help them to make the desire for needed improvements, a reality.

“The funds will go towards a new, 100,000 gallon, elevated storage tank," said Brandon Burcham, water operator and maintenance man, for Big V Water Association."That tank will replace an existing standpipe. Other improvements will include, upgrading some existing water lines and to drill a new well.”

Burcham says the improvements will ultimately provide a better quality of water for Big V customers, something that’s been an issue in past years.

“We are treating water as fast as we are making it and if we get some more elevated storage, we'll have a place to put water which will slow that treatment process down and allow a better quality of water," said Burcham.

Getting approved for the grant, board members say, was the first big hurdle and with that accomplished, the next step is the implementation. But when will that happen?

"Hopefully sometime this Fall. Nothing is written in stone yet but that's what we are shooting for," said Burcham.